Impact of 2-Deoxy-2[F-18]Fluoro-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography on the Management of Patients with Advanced Melanoma

Objectives Accurate staging of patients with melanoma is vital to guide appropriate treatment. 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) has been reported to be a sensitive and specific technique for the staging of advanced melanoma, however, few studies provide information regarding its impact on patient management. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the FDG-PET scan results of 92 patients with melanoma who had 126 scans performed over a six-year period. These patients were seen at the specialist melanoma clinic at our Institution, and 84 patients (92%) had stage III or IV disease. FDG-PET scan results were correlated with computed tomography (CT) scans and other imaging when available, and with clinical follow-up of a minimum of three to six months. The impact of FDG-PET scans on patient management was also assessed. Results On a lesion-by-lesion analysis, FDG-PET had a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 88%, and an accuracy of 91%. FDG-PET correctly affected the clinical decision-making process in 40 of 126 patient studies (32%), particularly assisting in the selection of patients for surgery. Conclusion FDG-PET has an important role in guiding the management of patients with advanced melanoma, particularly when surgery is contemplated.     

Comparison of bone and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography in the evaluation of bony metastases in lung cancer.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a proven accurate modality used for the detection of active malignant tumors. The performance of PET in detecting bony metastases, however, has not been adequately investigated. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of bone and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) PET scans in evaluating bony metastases from lung cancer. PROCEDURE: This retrospective study evaluated 85 patients with lung cancer who underwent both FDG-PET and bone scans within three weeks of each other for initial staging or restaging. The number and sites of bony lesions on FDG-PET and bone scans were correlated. Concordant lesions between the two modalities were considered to be positive for malignancy; discordant lesions were compared with X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or follow-up findings. The mean follow-up interval was 7.9 months. RESULTS: Bone scans were positive for lesions in 24 patients and negative in 61 patients while FDG-PET was positive for bony lesions in 17 patients and negative in 65 patients. FDG-PET was indeterminate for rib involvement in three patients having an underlying lung cancer, whom were evaluated separately. A total of 88 and 41 bony lesions were identified on bone scans and FDG-PET, respectively. Correlation of bone scans with other imaging modalities and clinical follow-up findings revealed a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of 81%, 78%, 34%, and 93%, respectively and for FDG-PET 73% (P=0.81), 88% (P=0.03), 46% (P=0.5,) and 97% (P=0.04), respectively. Using bone scans, 10 patients were correctly diagnosed with bony metastases, 54 were correctly diagnosed free of bony metastases, 17 patients were falsely diagnosed with metastases, and metastases were missed in one patient. Using FDG-PET scans, eight patients were correctly diagnosed with bony metastases, 66 were correctly diagnosed free of bony metastases, seven patients were falsely diagnosed with metastases, and one patient had metastases which were missed. Of the three patients with lung cancer close to the chest wall in whom FDG-PET was indeterminate for rib involvement, the bone scans were truly positive for rib involvement in two of them, and truly negative in the remaining patient. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET scans demonstrated significantly higher specificity and negative predictive values than bone scans for evaluating bony metastases from lung cancer. On the other hand, bone scans are more sensitive with higher positive predictive values than FDG-PET scans, but the differences were not statistically significant.     

2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in the Management of Melanoma

Objectives 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is widely available as a powerful imaging modality, combining the ability to detect active metabolic processes and their morphologic features in a single exam. The role of FDG-PET is proven in a variety of cancers, including melanoma, but the estimates of sensitivity and specificity are based in the majority of the published studies on dedicated PET, not PET/CT. Therefore, we were prompted to review our experience with FDG-PET/CT in the management of melanoma. Methods This is a retrospective study on 106 patients with melanoma (20–87 years old; average: 56.8 ± 15.9), who had whole-body FDG-PET/CT at our institution from January 2003 to June 2005. Thirty-eight patients (35.9%) were women and 68 patients (64.1%) were men. Reinterpretation of the imaging studies for accuracy and data analysis from medical records were performed. Results All patients had the study for disease restaging. The primary tumor depth (Breslow’s thickness) at initial diagnosis was available for 76 patients (71.7%) and ranged from 0.4 to 25 mm (average: 3.56 mm). The anatomic level of invasion in the skin (Clark’s level) was determined for 70 patients (66%): 3, level II; 13, level III; 43, level IV; 11, level V. The administered dose of ¹⁸F FDG ranged from 9.8 to 21.6 mCi (average: 15.4 ± 1.8 mCi). FDG-PET/CT had a sensitivity of 89.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 78.5–95] and a specificity of 88% (95% CI: 76.2–94.4) for melanoma detection. Conclusion This study confirms the good results of FDG-PET/CT for residual/recurrent melanoma detection, as well as for distant metastases localization. PET/CT should be an integral part in evaluation of patients with high-risk melanoma, prior to selection of the most appropriate therapy.     

Positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose for evaluating local and distant disease in patients with cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) for evaluating local and distant disease in patients with cervical cancer. METHODS: The PET imaging database maintained at our institution was used to identify patients who received FDG-PET scans for the clinical indication of cervical cancer for the past four years. Patients were followed for a minimum of six months following the PET study. Results of the FDG-PET studies were correlated with surgical pathology, biopsy results, and/or clinical follow up to assess the accuracy of FDG-PET in evaluating local and distant disease. RESULTS: A total of 61 FDG-PET studies performed in 41 patients were included in this retrospective study. Nine FDG-PET studies were performed for initial staging of cervical cancer, and 52 PET scans were performed in 35 different patients as restaging studies following therapy. For the initial staging, the local primary disease was identified in all nine FDG-PET studies, and PET distinguished the patients which had localized disease (four patients) from those with distant metastases on follow-up (five patients) with 100% accuracy. For restaging cervical cancer, FDG-PET had a sensitivity of 0.82 and specificity of 0.97 (accuracy 0.92) for evaluation of local recurrence. For evaluating distant disease in these patients, PET had a sensitivity of 1.00 and specificity of 0.90 (accuracy 0.94). In the evaluation of local disease, focal rectal activity caused false-positive results in two cases. Three false-positive studies for distant disease were caused by inflammatory adenopathy. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET is an accurate modality both for initial staging and restaging of patients with cervical cancer. PET is particularly sensitive for detecting distant metastases, allowing stratification of patients into those with locally confined disease and those with distant disease. These results were achieved by using a standardized PET imaging protocol without the use of bowel preparations, lasix administration, or Foley catheter drainage. Evaluation of local disease can be challenging due to adjacent rectal and bladder activity, and the use of hybrid PET/computed tomography (CT) scanners in the future may further improve evaluation of local disease.     

FDG-PET in the pretherapeutic evaluation of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and the involvement of cervical lymph nodes.

PURPOSE: The diagnostic role of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is evaluated. PROCEDURES: In 38 patients, the results of FDG-PET, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound were compared. The standard uptake values (SUV) of FDG-PET were correlated to histopathological grading and DNA-image cytometry. RESULTS: In the case of lymph node metastases, the sensitivity of FDG-PET (93%) was higher than the sensitivity for the compared methods. The specificity was best for CT. SUVs of diploid tumor cell lines seemed to be lower than in non-diploid tumor cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: The high sensitivity and the high negative predictive value of PET may lead to more restrictive therapeutic regimens regarding lymph node metastases. Studies are necessary regarding possible relationships between glucose metabolism and tumor grading.     

Simultaneous analysis of tyrosinase mRNA and markers of tyrosinase activity in the blood of patients with metastatic melanoma.

Determination of blood tyrosinase mRNA by RT-PCR and markers of tyrosinase activity (L-DOPA/L-tyrosine ratio) by HPLC have been proposed as biological tools for the detection of metastases in melanoma patients. We prospectively evaluated their significance and clinical value in a group of 30 stage III (n = 10) and IV (n = 20) melanoma patients and one with melanosis of Dubreuilh. L-DOPA/L-tyrosine ratio was elevated in 30% of stage III, 41% of stage IV patients (range: 7.5-261.0 x 10(5)) and in melanosis of Dubreuilh (184.8) (reference values: 6-16 X 10(5)). One stage III and four stage IV melanoma patients were positive for tyrosinase mRNA. In stage IV patients, tyrosinase mRNA positivity was associated with disease progression (P<0.01). The presence of tyrosinase mRNA in blood is more related to clinical status than level of melanin precursors, which probably reflects tumor burden.     

Intrapatient Comparison of 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>-glucose with Positron EmissionTomography/Computed Tomography to Tc-99m Fanolesomab (NeutroSpec) for Localization of Infection

Purpose This study evaluated the efficacy of 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG) with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in comparison with Tc-99m fanolesomab (NeutroSpec) for imaging infection. Procedures Twelve patients with possible infection were studied with both FDG-PET/CT and Tc-99m fanolesomab. One patient was studied twice for a total of 13 paired studies. The final determination of the presence or absence of infection and the site(s) of infection at the time of imaging was made by an infectious disease physician using culture results and other relevant information. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for each imaging study on a per paired study basis and a per lesion basis. In addition, the quality of lesion depicted was compared between the two studies. Results Three patients were determined not to have infection. Ten paired studies, in nine patients, were determined to have one or more sites of infection: seven had one site and three had two sites. On a per paired study basis the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FDG-PET/CT were all 100%; for Tc-99m fanolesomab these parameters were 30, 100, and 46%, respectively (P < 0.01 for sensitivity and accuracy). On a per site basis the results for FDG-PET/CT were all 100% and for Tc-99m fanolesomab they were 23, 100, and 38% (P < 0.01 for sensitivity and accuracy). In the three sites of infection shown by both studies, FDG-PET/CT was judged to be superior in spatial resolution and anatomic localization compared to Tc-99m fanolesomab in all three sites. Conclusion FDG-PET/CT is superior to Tc-99m fanolesomab for detecting and localizing sites of infection.     

A pilot study of the diagnostic and prognostic values of FLT-PET/CT for pancreatic cancer: comparison with FDG-PET/CT

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to examine the diagnostic and prognostic values of ¹⁸F-fluorothymidine (FLT)-PET/CT for pancreatic cancer by comparing with ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT.

Methods

Fifteen patients with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer underwent both FLT and FDG-PET/CT scans before treatment. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detecting nodal and distant metastases were compared between both scans using McNemar exact or χ ² test. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan–Meier method. Prognostic significance was assessed by Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Results

Both scans visualized all primary cancers. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy per patient basis for detecting nodal metastasis were equal and 63.6% (7/11), 100% (4/4), and 73.3% (11/15) for both scans, and for detecting distant metastasis were 100% (6/6), 88.9% (8/9), and 93.3% (14/15) for FDG-PET/CT, and 50.0% (3/6), 100% (9/9), and 80.0% (12/15) for FLT-PET/CT, respectively, without significant difference in each of them between both scans (p > 0.05). However, of 4 patients with multiple liver metastases, FDG-PET/CT was positive in all, but FLT-PET/CT was negative in three patients. At univariate analysis, only FLT-SUV_max correlated with PFS (hazard ratio, 1.306, p = 0.048), and FDG total lesion glycolysis (TLG), FLT-SUV_max, and FLT-total lesion proliferation (TLP) correlated with OS (p = 0.021, p = 0.005, and p = 0.022, respectively). At bivariate analysis, FLT-SUV_max was superior to FDG-TLG or FLT-TLP for prediction of OS [HR (adjusted for FDG-TLG), 1.491, p = 0.034, HR (adjusted for FLT-TLP), 1.542, p = 0.023].

Conclusion

FLT-PET/CT may have a potential equivalent to FDG-PET/CT for detecting primary and metastatic cancers except liver metastasis. FLT-SUV_max can provide the most significant prognostic information.

     

M-Vax: an autologous, hapten-modified vaccine for human cancer

A novel approach to active immunotherapy has been devised based on modification of autologous cancer cells with the hapten, dinitrophenyl (DNP). This technology is being developed by AVAX Technologies as a treatment for melanoma under the brand name, M-Vax(TM). The treatment program consists of multiple intradermal injections of DNP-modified autologous tumour cells mixed with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). DNP-vaccine administration to patients with metastatic melanoma induces a unique reaction - the development of inflammation in metastatic masses. The inflammation is mediated by IFN-gamma-producing T-lymphocytes, some of which represent expansion of novel clones. Following DNP-vaccine treatment, almost all patients develop delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to autologous, DNP-modified melanoma cells; approximately half also exhibit DTH to autologous, unmodified tumour cells. The toxicity of the vaccine is mild, consisting mainly of papules or pustules at the injection sites. Clinical trials have been conducted in two populations of melanoma patients: stage IV with measurable metastases and clinical stage III patients, rendered tumour-free by lymphadenectomy. In 83 patients with measurable metastases, there were 11 antitumour responses: two complete responses (CRs), four partial responses (PRs) and five mixed. Both CRs and two of four PRs occurred in patients with lung metastases. In 214 stage III patients the 5-year overall survival rate was 46% (one nodal site = 48%, in-transit metastases = 50%, two nodal sites = 36%). In both populations, the induction of DTH to unmodified autologous tumour cells was associated with significantly longer survival. This technology is applicable to other human cancers and clinical trials have been initiated with ovarian adenocarcinoma. There appear to be no insurmountable impediments to applying this approach to much larger numbers of patients or to developing it as a standard cancer treatment.     

Role of Low-dose, Noncontrast Computed Tomography from Integrated Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Evaluating Incidental 2-Deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose-avid Colon Lesions

Purpose To assess the contribution of concurrent low-dose, noncontrast CT in the assessment of the malignant potential of incidental focal 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG)-avid colonic lesions on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Procedures Routine FDG-PET/CT scans were reviewed for identification of focal FDG-avid colon lesions, and the CT component was independently reviewed for an anatomical lesion and malignant potential based on CT criteria. Clinical, endoscopic, and histopathology follow-up was obtained. Results A total of 85/2,916 (3%) oncology FDG-PET/CT scans had incidental focal colon lesions. Clinical and/or endoscopic follow-up was available in 83/85 (98%) patients. Focal, corresponding CT lesions were found in 44/83 (53%) patients, but features of malignancy were not assessable. Of the 44 patients with a final diagnosis, 32/44 (73%) were FDG-PET/CT true positives; 5/44 (11%) were false positives; and 7/44 (16%) had inconclusive FDG-PET/CT findings. Conclusions Concurrent low-dose, noncontrast CT improves localization, but does not provide independent information on the malignant potential of incidental focal colonic activity on FDG-PET/CT.     

M-Vax: an autologous,hapten-modified vaccine for human cancer

A novel approach to active immunotherapy has been devised based on modification of autologous cancer cells with the hapten, dinitrophenyl (DNP). This technology is being developed by AVAX Technologies as a treatment for melanoma under the brand name, M-Vax^TM. The treatment program consists of multiple intradermal injections of DNP-modified autologous tumour cells mixed with Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG). DNP-vaccine administration to patients with metastatic melanoma induces a unique reaction – the development of inflammation in metastatic masses. The inflammation is mediated by IFN-γ-producing T-lymphocytes, some of which represent expansion of novel clones. Following DNP-vaccine treatment, almost all patients develop delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to autologous, DNP-modified melanoma cells; approximately half also exhibit DTH to autologous, unmodified tumour cells. The toxicity of the vaccine is mild, consisting mainly of papules or pustules at the injection sites. Clinical trials have been conducted in two populations of melanoma patients: stage IV with measurable metastases and clinical stage III patients, rendered tumour-free by lymphadenectomy. In 83 patients with measurable metastases, there were 11 antitumour responses: two complete responses (CRs), four partial responses (PRs) and five mixed. Both CRs and two of four PRs occurred in patients with lung metastases. In 214 stage III patients the 5-year overall survival rate was 46% (one nodal site = 48%, in-transit metastases = 50%, two nodal sites = 36%). In both populations, the induction of DTH to unmodified autologous tumour cells was associated with significantly longer survival. This technology is applicable to other human cancers and clinical trials have been initiated with ovarian adenocarcinoma. There appear to be no insurmountable impediments to applying this approach to much larger numbers of patients or to developing it as a standard cancer treatment.     

上尿路尿路上皮癌的（18）F-FDG PET/CT诊断及评价

目的探讨18F-FDG PET/CT在上尿路尿路上皮癌诊断中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析我中心自2000年4月至2010年12月间29例可疑上尿路尿路上皮癌患者的资料,29例患者在介入、手术及其他治疗前均行静脉尿路造影（IVU）、螺旋CT及18F-FDG PET/CT检查。分析3种影像学检查方法的诊断准确性。结果 29例中,18F-FDG PET/CT检查诊断上尿路尿路上皮癌26例（89.7%）,26例均经手术病理证实为上尿路尿路上皮癌。对照手术病理结果,IVU的敏感性和特异性分别为64.0%和75.0%;螺旋CT的敏感性和特异性分别为75.0%和80.0%;而18F-FDGPET/CT的敏感性和特异性分别为92.9%和100%。18F-FDG PET/CT的敏感性高于IVU和螺旋CT（P=0.041vsCT,P=0.036vs IVU）,同时特异性也高于IVU和螺旋CT（P=0.041vs CT,P=0.036vs IVU）。结论 18F-FDG PET/CT在上尿路尿路上皮癌的诊断中其敏感性和特异性均高于IVU和螺旋CT,为一种有用的临床诊断方法。上尿路尿路上皮癌的最后诊断需经手术病理证实。     

Performance of Integrated FDG-PET/CT for Differentiating Benign and Malignant Lung Lesions -Results from a Large Prospective Clinical Trial

Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate prospectively whether integrated 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is more accurate for determination of malignancy in newly diagnosed pulmonary lesions compared to separate interpretation of CT and FDG-PET. Procedures Two hundred and seventy-six patients with newly diagnosed lung lesions underwent FDG-PET/CT. Helical CT, FDG-PET, and FDG-PET/CT were interpreted separately to determine the performance of each imaging modality. Histopathology served as reference in all patients, and in further 60 patients, a benign lesion was verified at follow-up (mean follow-up of 1,040 days). Results Histology revealed malignant lung tumors in 216 of 276 patients. With PET and PET/CT, a significantly lower number of lesions were classified as equivocal compared to CT alone (p < 0.001). Assuming that equivocal lesions are benign, performance of diagnostic tests was as follows: sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for CT was 94, 75, and 90%, for PET 97, 83, and 94% (p = 0.021), and for PET/CT 96, 87, and 94% (p = 0.010). Assuming that equivocal lesions are malignant, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for CT was 99, 37, and 86%, for PET 99, 77, and 94% (p < 0.001), and for PET/CT 98, 68, and 92% (p = 0.002). PET and PET/CT showed the highest concordance (K = 0.912; confidence interval 0.866–0.958). In lesions less than or equal to 3 cm, there was a significant difference in the performance of PET alone and multidetector row CT as well as PET/CT and multidetector row CT (p = 0.007), irrespective if equivocal findings were judged as malignant or benign. Conclusion For differentiation of benign from malignant lung lesions, integrated FDG-PET/CT imaging was significantly more accurate than CT but not FDG-PET. The addition of metabolic imaging (FDG-PET) to morphological imaging (CT) leads to an increase in specificity and significantly reduced equivocal findings and is therefore recommended to further specify newly diagnosed lung lesions. Sandra Pauls and Andreas K. Buck equally contributed. An erratum to this article can be found at     

分化型甲状腺癌患者~(131)I-SPECT/CT显像的临床价值

目的探讨分化型甲状腺癌(differentiated thyroid carcinoma,DTC)患者131I-SPECT/CT显像的临床价值。方法 142例DTC患者甲状腺全切或次全切除术后行放射性131I碘内照射治疗208次,口服Na131I剂量3.7~11.1 GBq,5~7 d后行131I-WBS和131I-SPECT/CT显像。结果 131I-WBS发现DTC复发或转移灶真阳性245个、假阳性14个、假阴性48个、真阴性155个,131I-SPECT/CT显像发现DTC复发或转移灶真阳性427个、假阳性2个、假阴性14个、真阴性208个。DTC患者131I-WBS的灵敏度为83.6%,131I-SPECT/CT显像的灵敏度为96.8%,两者比较P<0.001,差异有统计学意义;31I-WBS的特异性为91.7%,131 I-SPECT/CT特异性是99.1%,两者比较0.01相似文献   

Clinical application of 18F‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in breast cancer

Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is not suited for primary diagnostics of breast tumours and it cannot replace sentinel lymph node technique in determining metastases to the axilla. PET/CT has a high sensitivity and specificity regarding the detection of loco‐regional recurrence and metastases to mediastinal and internal mammary lymph nodes, as well as distant metastases. Whether the method can replace conventional methods, or be a supplement when this is non‐conclusive, remains unresolved. PET/CT cannot be recommended for routine follow‐up but is recommended in patients with suspected relapse when conventional imaging has given equivocal results. PET/CT can be applied to confirm isolated loco‐regional relapse or metastatic lesion detected by conventional imaging. PET/CT has a high sensitivity for detecting response to treatment, but a low specificity calls for cautions. Further investigations into the use of PET/CT to predict and monitor response are warranted, before this approach may find its way into a clinical setting. In the future, PET/CT will probably find increasing use in treatment planning and evaluation of patients with breast cancer.     

Treatment of malignant melanoma.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current treatments for cutaneous melanoma and discuss treatment approaches for each patient population. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and IOWA database search from January 1990 to December 1998. DATA EXTRACTION: Clinical trials and review articles were selected and classified to answer questions considered of clinical relevance. RESULTS: Patients with stage I, II, and III melanoma should undergo excision after biopsy. In patients with stage IV melanoma, surgical excision of metastatic melanoma is not considered curative but can provide palliation and improve quality of life. Therapeutic lymph node dissection should be performed in patients with melanoma in stages III and IV once pathologic confirmation is obtained. Patients at high risk for recurrence or metastasis may also be considered for elective node dissection. Adjuvant therapy after surgery excision is not a standard of care in patients with stage I and IIa melanoma. In patients with stage IIb and III melanoma, the best results have been obtained with high doses of interferon alfa-2b, although toxicity is of concern. Isolated limb perfusion with melphalan adjuvant to surgery has demonstrated clinically significant benefit in patients with locally recurrent melanoma and in-transit metastases. Studies comparing efficacy and quality of life with this technique or with high doses of interferon alfa-2b are needed. The technique cannot be recommended for high-risk primary melanoma of an extremity with no clinical evidence of metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: To date, dacarbazine still appears to be the treatment of first choice in metastatic melanoma, outside of a clinical trial. The combination of chemotherapy with interferon alfa-2b or interferon alfa-2a enhances toxicity without a significant survival advantage. Aldesleukin may be an alternative in selected patients when other treatments have failed, but the higher toxicity and cost must be considered.     

肺癌骨转移SPECT/CT融合图像的影像学特点分析

目的:探讨99 Tcm-亚甲基二膦酸盐(methylene diphosphonate,MDP)单光子发射计算机断层/CT(single photon emission computed tomography/spiral computed tomography,SPECT/CT)所显示的肺癌骨转移病灶的图像特点及SPECT/CT显像对肺癌骨转移的诊断价值。方法:回顾分析113例病理证实为肺癌、初次全身骨显像及SPECT/CT显像诊断为肺癌骨转移的患者的骨转移病灶的SPECT/CT图像特点,经病理诊断或再次全身骨显像及SPECT/CT显像随访确认,分析SPECT/CT显像所示肺癌骨转移病灶的部位、数量、放射性分布及CT表现的特点。结果:113例患者共482处病灶纳入本研究,肺癌骨转移病灶429处。肺癌骨转移病灶中位于脊柱者占50.6%(217/429),胸廓者占29.1%(125/429),骨盆者占17.0%(73/429),四肢者占2.1%(9/429),颅骨者占1.2%(5/429)。肺癌骨转移病灶SPECT/CT图像表现为放射性异常浓聚者占90.7%(389/429),无放射性分布异常者占9.3%(40/429);CT图像表现为成骨性转移者占41.0%(176/429),溶骨性转移者占50.3%(216/429),混合性(兼有溶骨和成骨)转移者占4.0%(17/429),骨质形态学正常者占4.7%(20/429)。113例患者中有23例患者同时伴有良性病灶,共53处。结论:肺癌骨转移的部位以脊柱居首,胸廓次之;肺腺癌患者容易发生骨转移,以成骨性转移多见。SPECT/CT诊断肺癌骨转移病灶的敏感度和特异性均较高。     

Tc-99m MIBI uptake in traumatic vertebral fractures and metastatic vertebral lesions: Comparison with Tc-99m MDP

This study compared technetium-99m-hexakis-2-methoxyisobutyl-isonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) with technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) to determine whether Tc-99m MIBI could distinguish vertebral metastases from traumatic vertebral fractures. Twenty patients with traumatic vertebral fracture (and no malignant disease) and 14 patients with metastatic vertebral lesions were evaluated. Three to 4 hours after intravenous injection of Tc-99m MDP, images of the vertebrae in all patients were obtained. Corresponding Tc-99m MIBI images were acquired within 4 days after the Tc-99m MDP bone images were obtained. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated 24 vertebral traumatic fractures and 44 vertebral metastases. On conventional bone scans, Tc-99m MDP activity was increased in 92% of vertebral fractures and in 100% of vertebral metastases. However, on MIBI scans, no abnormal findings were observed in the vertebrae with fracture, although increased activity was seen in 73% of vertebral metastases. In this study, traumatic vertebral fractures tended to display no pathologic increases in Tc-99m MIBI uptake, whereas bone metastases usually appeared with high uptake. In light of the excellent specificity of Tc-99m MIBI scans compared with Tc-99m MDP bone scans, imaging studies that use Tc-99m MIBI scans may play an important complementary role in differentiating vertebral metastases from traumatic vertebral fractures.     

Early bone marrow metastasis detection: The additional value of FDG-PET/CT vs. CT imaging

Objective

To assess the addition value of ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) vs. CT in detecting early metastatic deposits in bone marrow (BM).

Methods

From January 2009 to December 2010, 198 consecutive patients (88 male, 110 female; median age: 64 years) were retrospectively examined. All patients underwent ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT for disease evaluation: 65 for lung cancer, 66 for breast cancer, 57 for lymphoma and 10 for multiple myeloma. All scans were reviewed by a radiologist and a specialist in nuclear medicine for the identification of bone lesions. The presence of BM metastases was confirmed by biopsy, sequential PET/CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging when available. A patient-based analysis was performed.

Results

Investigating the presence of skeletal metastasis, 94 (48%) patients had positive and 104 (52%) negative CT scan whereas 110 (56%) had positive and 88 (44%) negative FDG-PET/CT scan (P < 0.001). The two imaging modalities were concordant in 178 (90%) patients for bone lesions; on the contrary 20 (10%) patients had discordant results (P < 0.001). In 21 out of 178 concordant patients BM lesions were identified both in CT and FDG-PET, whereas nine out of the 20 discordant patients showed BM involvement at PET/CT only. Overall, PET/CT was able to identify 30 (15%) patients with BM lesions. In these latter patients, the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for BM metastases was 7.9 ± 4.5 (range: 3.1–19.0), resulting slightly higher in patients with negative than positive CT scan (8.3 ± 5.1 vs. 7.8 ± 4.3, respectively; P = 0.79).

Conclusions

FDG-PET/CT resulted more accurate than CT in early detection of BM metastases. The FDG-PET/CT images improve the staging of about 15% of our study population. PET/CT detected BM lesions mainly on the basis of their increased metabolic activity rather than on anatomical alterations. Moreover, it provided an accurate identification of tumour viability that was useful for treatment planning and follow-up.     

Positron emission tomography using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose for response monitoring in locally advanced gastroesophageal cancer; a comparison of different analytical methods.

PURPOSE: To determine the ability of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) to monitor response in locally advanced gastroesophageal cancer (LAGEC). Additionally, optimal FDG-PET methods for response monitoring were selected. PROCEDURES: Sequential dynamic FDG-PET scans were performed in 13 patients with LAGEC (T2-3N0-1M0-1a) treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin and gemcitabine plus granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating growth factor at a three weekly schedule. The standard FDG-PET method, nonlinear regression (NLR), was compared with computed tomography (CT), endoscopic-ultrasound (EUS), and histopathology as well as with 21 simplified analytical FDG-PET methods. RESULTS: Five out of 12 operated tumors responded histopathologically with less than 10% residual tumorcells (42%). These had a higher decrease in FDG uptake compared with nonresponders (P=0.008). Early (after two cycles) and late (after completed induction therapy) response evaluation showed a specificity of 86% and 100%, respectively, and a sensitivity of 100%. Both FDG-PET and EUS were superior to CT. From 21 methods analyzing FDG uptake, the quantitative Patlak analysis, the simplified kinetic method (SKM), and the semiquantitative standardized uptake value corrected for bodyweight (SUV-BW) seemed to correlate best with NLR. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET reliably predicted response in LAGEC. FDG-PET measurements using Patlak analysis or the more clinical applicable SKM and SUV-BW were acceptable alternatives to NLR.